Cooper County, Missouri

Cooper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2000, the population was 16,670. Its county seat is Boonville. The county was organized in 1818 and is named for Sarshall Cooper, a frontier settler who was killed by Indians near Arrow Rock in 1814.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 570 square miles (1,477 km²), of which, 565 square miles (1,463 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (13 km²) of it (0.91%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Howard County (north)
• Boone County (northeast)
• Moniteau County (southeast)
• Morgan County (south)
• Pettis County (west)
• Saline County (northwest)

Major highways

• Interstate 70
• U.S. Route 40
• Route 5
• Route 41
• Route 87
• Route 98
• Route 135
• Route 179

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,670 people, 5,932 households, and 4,140 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 6,676 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.05% White, 8.96% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.1% were of German, 18.7% American, 8.1% English and 8.0% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 5,932 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 14.00% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 117.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,313, and the median income for a family was $41,526. Males had a median income of $28,513 versus $20,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,648. About 8.30% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 8.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Blackwater Boonville Bunceton	Clifton City Otterville Pilot Grove	Prairie Home Windsor Place Wooldridge

Famous People (Birthplace)

• Sara Evans, country music star

References